Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$55,422$4,619 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Las Cruces, NM
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Las Cruces, NM
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Las Cruces, NM MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $744 | $8,928 | $29,760 | 16.1% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $951 | $11,412 | $38,040 | 20.6% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,042 | $12,504 | $41,680 | 22.6% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,449 | $17,388 | $57,960 | 31.4% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,580 | $18,960 | $63,200 | 34.2% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Las Cruces, NM
Based on the local median household income of $55,422/year ($4,619/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in New Mexico
Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and New Mexico state income tax based on the local median baseline.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across New Mexico with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Las Cruces, NM
What is the median household income in Las Cruces, NM?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Las Cruces, NM is $55,422 per year (approximately $4,619 per month).
What is the average rent in Las Cruces, NM?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Las Cruces, NM are $744 for a studio, $951 for 1 bedroom, $1,042 for 2 bedrooms, $1,449 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,580 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Las Cruces, NM compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Las Cruces, NM is 90.2 (9.8% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Las Cruces, NM?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,042/month) in Las Cruces, NM requires a minimum gross household income of $41,680 per year ($3,473 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Las Cruces, NM?
For a typical household earning the median income of $55,422/year ($4,619/month) in Las Cruces, NM, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,309/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,386/month to discretionary spending, and $924/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Las Cruces, NM?
Residential electricity rates in New Mexico average 15.1¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $136 per month.